When operating properly your body’s internal clock tells you when to sleep and when to wake up. It also controls your sleep cycle stages. The scientific name for this function is known as the circadian clock. This internal mechanism controls your sleep cycle by monitoring your body temperature, hormone levels and your general level of alertness.
Behind your eyeballs are a cluster of neurons called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that sends rhythmic signals to your pituitary gland. Your pituitary gland then sends chemicals including melatonin into your blood. Studies have found that it is the build up of melatonin that causes drowsiness.
There is another neurotransmitter, a chemical called adenosine that is produced while you are awake. Your cells produce power to get you through the tasks you need to do each day and adenosine is a bi-product of the use of that power. Adenosine builds up throughout the day to a level that tells your brain its time to sleep. The longer you resists the more adenosine and melatonin build up and you feel sleepier and sleepier until finally you have no choice but to fall asleep. While you sleep these hormones are broken down by other bodily functions and your circadian clock is reset. Then the cycle starts all over again.
Sleep Cycle Stages
The first of part of the sleep cycle is known as “relaxed wakefulness”. This is experienced right before you fall asleep and feels like that “not quite awake” and “not quite asleep” feeling. You also experience this right before you wake up in the morning. This state usually lasts somewhere between two and ten minutes and then you “fall asleep”.
Once your posture becomes relaxed you are considered to be really sleeping. Most people experience this sitting or lying down. Your muscles relax and move less. You also respond less to external stimulation such as sounds and touch and your metabolism slows down.
Scientists have divided sleep into two categories. The first is REM sleep which is short for Rapid Eye Movement. The other category is known as NREM or non REM sleep.
Non REM Sleep
The sleep cycle consists of four stages of non REM sleep sleep. The first stage or Stage I is called drowsiness. This is where your eyes move slowly and your body adjusts in the chair or bed. You sleep lightly and can be awakened easily. This transitional stage consists of about 5% of your non-REM sleep. During this sleep cycle stage your body will sometimes jerk itself awake. This is known as a hypnic jerk or hypnologic jerk. After 2 to 10 minutes you body will then start to glide off into Stage II or light sleep.
The next of the sleep cycle stages is Stage II or light sleep. You’ll spend about 45% of your non REM sleep in stage II. This is when your eye movement stops, your heart rate slows down and your body temperature drops slightly. Interestingly your brain wave levels increase.
The remaining two sleep cycle stages of non REM sleep, Stages III and IV, are known as deep sleep. In deep sleep you have no eye movement or muscle activity and are hard to wake. If you are awakened out of deep sleep you’ll feel disoriented, confused and groggy. Some people are known to act irrationally for a short while after they are awakened from deep sleep. You spend about 12% of your sleep cycle in stage III and 13% in stage IV.
REM Sleep
REM sleep is when you dream. Studies show that during REM sleep brain activity increases to nearly the same level as when a person is awake. Somewhere between 1 to 1 ½ hours after you fall asleep you enter REM sleep. During this sleep cycle stage you’ll breathe irregularly and more rapidly. Your heart rate and blood pressure rise. Men often experience erections. During REM your eyes jerk around rapidly in many directions under your eyelids. This movement is what gives REM sleep its name. Most people have three to five REM periods a night.
Wil Dieck is the founder of Total Mind Therapy and author of, “Overcoming Insomnia” an e-course you can have at absolutely no charge. Drop by http://howtosleepinfo.com/ for your copy today.
[...] For the rest of this article follow this link… [...]
…
Very cool! I support your view. Here you can always learn the suitable Casual italian shoes！…
This is an article definitely worth understanding. There are tons of blogs that just make no sense. Please go on with the good work and more people will keep going back.
Hello,just observed your web-site when i google something and wonder what web hosting do you use for your website,the speed is more faster than my wordpress, i really need it.will back to check it out,i appreciate it!
This is a piece definitely worth reading. There are tons of blogs that just make no sense. Please continue the good work and more people will keep returning.
This is a great post, I stumbled across your post while looking for rock lyrics. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be sure to come back.
You’ve performed it once again, amazing written content at a amazing charge, zero cost that is. Straight brilliant woman continue it up
…
Intimately, the post is actually the most beneficial on this precious subject. I concur together with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your coming updates!…
Appreciation for giving this high quality subject matter, I enormously understand all sorts of things that you do.
Couldn’t get any better then this, terrific give good results!
Brilliant post. Just found it on AOL. tks 4 the useful information. Keep up the good work
Thanks Jeromy
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, I bookmarked it.
Just decided to drop by to share with you know how we enjoyed your work greatly. All your efforts are all worth while as it was absolutely excellent. Carry on the great job!
I Couldn’t come across this data wherever else on the Web, thanks so a lot for placing it.
It is great how you have the capacity to communicate all this helpful information to us in detail. Keep going on your adventures as we are energized for the things to come. It is always a pleasure to read your work.
Since we are discussing this Sleep Cycle Stages and Rem Sleep, matter, This body clock disturbance can be caused by an irregular slumber schedule because of too much siesta or partying too late at night.
VRy interesting to read it
Such a usefule Blog …wow !!!!
thanks !! very helpful post!
I don’t usually reply to posts but I will in this case. WoW
I love your website! did you create this yourself or did you outsource it? Im looking for a blog design thats similar so thats the only reason I’m asking. Either way keep up the nice work I was impressed with your content really..
I have this already, and I’d recommend that everybody check this out.
Nice one, might come in handy in the near future
Pretty insightful post. Never thought that it was this simple after all. I had spent a good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you’re the only one that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up
I just wanted to comment your blog and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more soon mate
I’ve been checking your blog for a while now, seems like everyday I learn something new
Thanks
hey there I just wanted to comment your blog and say that I really enjoyed reading your blog post here. It was very informative and I also digg the way you write! Keep it up and I’ll be back to read more soon mate
Your words are so powerful which really make an influence on the readers. Your composing comes from you spirit just where it should be. I expect to read more from you.
Excellent info. Thanks for the publish.
Hello! Just had to chime in. I honestly loved your opinion. Keep up the good effort.
This site is a great method to reach out to others. Congratulations on a task well done. I am expecting your next entry.
Sweet I uncovered you on Facebook and I just sought to say great blog!
Great ! I hope you will not stop posting new articles. I read all your posts. But.. it has been very slow to load lately.
This page makes me think of a lot of optimistic things. There aren’t much blogs that have the same result on me. Anticipating the next one to be just as inspiring.
Really informative blog post here my friend. I just wanted to comment & say keep up the quality work. I’ve bookmarked your blog just now and I’ll be back to read more in the future my friend! Also nice colors on the layout it goes well with the blog in my humble opinion
Great ! Are you going to keep writing articles? I like the way you write. BTW how did you make the little widget on top of your blog ? Thanks.
Fantastic blog! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and also the data are well written. I am wondering how I may be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which should do the trick! Have a nice day!
I must say, this piece is something else. The details here is very consistent with real life situations. Thanks to you for revealing your insights here.
Wow, useful info, thanks for share! I will come back. Brian
brilliant article, very informative.
I was’nt sure I would like this site since it was about Sleep Cycle Stages and Rem Sleep but I was wrong and thought it was cool and found it on Ask . Thanks and I’ll be back as you update.
This is a good blog. Keep up all the work. I too love blogging and expressing my opinions. Thanks
its’s good!thx!
Thanks for the really useful information, I’ve added your blog to my feed reader.
Did you do any at all research for this post? It’s pretty good written i have say
Hi , I just stopped by to visit your site and thought I’d say I enjoyed myself .
shares use a fantastic webpage decent Gives thank you for the work to guide myself
this post was great ill be sure to share with friends
hey thankfulness regarding this site really helpfull,please visit our site Daily Review